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Alternate reality game

An alternate reality game, commonly referred to as as "ARG," is a game that uses clues delivered via multiple real-world devices or the Internet in order to give players hints about what to do next in the game. The game takes place in the real world, and often has players travel to specific locations at specific times to pick up more clues or to interact with other players. ARGs are now commonly used to promote the release of games or other forms of media.

While it's hard to come up with a standardized definition of alternate reality games, two famous examples include a long-form game built around the band Nine Inch Nails, which included fans finding USB sticks with new songs and clues dropped in the bathrooms at concerts, as well as concert tickets hidden in hard-to-reach locations. In one case, fans showed up at a specific location and were treated to a surprise concert.

In gaming, the ARG built around the release of Portal 2 also proved popular, with Valve sharing clues through e-mails to the press, hiding new content in independent games, and offering clues in the source code to games and websites. The ARG ended with the slightly earlier release of Portal 2, and a free bundle of Valve games for those who found all the hidden potatoes in the package of independent games released to help move the game along.

In 2001, EA released a for-pay alternate reality game called Majestic, with game characters calling the players, sending them faxes, and interacting via Instant Messaging programs. The game was put on hold after the September 11 attacks, due to fears that the messages could be seen as being linked to a terrorist threat. The game was cancelled in 2002 due to low player interest.